Demoiselle vs African Paper Wasp

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Demoiselle African Paper Wasp
Scientific Name Calopteryx haemorrhoidalis Belonogaster juncea
Order Odonata Hymenoptera
Family Calopterygidae Vespidae
Size 45-48 mm 15-22 mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Underground
Diet Predators Predators
Regions Europe, Africa Southern Africa, East Africa
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Demoiselle

A Mediterranean damselfly with deeply pigmented wings and metallic body coloration.

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Did You Know?

Males defend stream territories and perform dramatic wing-clapping courtship flights.

African Paper Wasp

A slender reddish-brown social wasp that builds small open paper nests under eaves and branches. It preys on caterpillars to feed its larvae.

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Did You Know?

They are considered beneficial by gardeners because a single colony can destroy hundreds of caterpillar pests per week.